Jobs bonanza for retail giant with new roles

The new John Lewis store takes shape in Victoria Gate, Leeds, as striking concrete diamond panels are installed.

Published:14:38Monday 16 May 2016

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Retail giant John Lewis is opening applications for hundreds of jobs at its flagship store in Leeds.

The £150m store is on the search for 550 staff to fill full time and part time positions including customer services, shop floor assistants and specialist roles such as beauty therapists and personal stylist.

The application process started on Friday.

James Prince, ​h​ead of ​b​ranch at John Lewis Leeds, said: “Having lived in the city for the past four years, it means a lot to me to be able to offer jobs at John Lewis Leeds to local people.

​“​There are some brilliant, talented individuals in the region and I’m looking forward to meeting enthusiastic and dedicated future ​p​artners and hopefully welcoming them to become a part of our team.”

Hilary Benn, Labour MP for Leeds Central and shadow foreign secretary, added: “This is an exciting development for Leeds and a striking building.

“It is bringing a large number of jobs to the city centre, and we all look forward to John Lewis opening.

“I hope that as many people as possible from Leeds will apply for the wide range of jobs available.”

As a part of John Lewis’s unique ​p​artnership structure, successful applicants will become ​p​artners and co-owners of the business, and will receive a host of benefits including an annual bonus, access to holiday and leisure facilities, education and career development support.

Work started in 2014 on the new £150m Victoria Gate retail development.

The development will house one of the largest John Lewis stores outside of London.

The detailed designs also include a casino, a multi-storey car park for up to 800 cars, Victoria Gate arcade with 30 stores, restaurants, cafes and leisure space.

The first phase will also deliver up to 1,000 retail and hospitality jobs and up to 1,000 construction jobs.